The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-05-01
MINETTE.

'ndI every one loved her, and alter q
While the Eaatron gave her the name of
Sunette, for" said she, "the little
thing seems to food every place where
she happens to be with sunshine" One
day as the tiny girl sat on a little circle
OF closely-shaven turf, where stood a
tine marble statue of Hebe that some
person had given to decorate the hospi
tai grounds, singing. as was her habit
at the top of her bird-like voice, one of
the young physicians came that way
and asked:
What is beneath you, my happy
baby2'
Grass replied the child promptly,
pulling her scant check skirt about her
dlmpled knees, cor do you see a bug or
an ant, or any creeping thing?" and
she looked about her quite uneasily.
Nothing of the kind, little one," said
the young man laughing. What is be-
meath the gtass2"
Dirt is" said Minette, shutting her
rosy lips tight. II know l saw Paul.
the gardner. plant rose tree"
Good. What is beneath the dirt?"
Don I know" and the rosy lips
pursed themselves in puzzled EXPIRES
sion.
II will tell you, my small beauty :"
salo the Dung doctor, mysterlously.
IL Is CHINA, and the people who live
there look like the pictures on madam
tea set and on the ire screen in the old
ooctoI's room. If you will sing long
enough and long enough they will hear
YOU ana come, bringing you whatever
II would like bestmamma and papa. y
no answer was at once forthcoming
a wax doll and kltten?"
NO. my mamma and papa will get
what else l want. 1 shall sing for
them"
Well, l must say that, considering
the circumstances, you have very clear
Ideas OF parental responsibilities. and
the young man went laughing on his
way, laughing again as he paused a
moment at the hospital door to listen to
Mlnette, who seemed to have timed her
pipes anew In order to raise her Chinese
benefactors.
You are a happy infant!" said a
nurse girl the next day, who was cross
ing the bit OF park and could not re-
slst the temptation of speaking to Min
ette-few people could.
Oh, IL Is not simply because I am
happy that l sing" confded the little
girl. Have you heard that China is
Just beneath, and If the funny people
there near ME sing they will come,
bringing me just exactly what l am
wishing for most anything? The good
Dr. Octave told me So" This with q
Sideways perk of the small head and a
questioning look in the blue ewes.
That is all very WELL" said the maid
settling her white muslin cap on her
head with Goth her hands, but / fear
ne did not tell you that you must not be
forever singing the same song, for the
queer people in China, who dwell be-
meath you. will not come until they be ar
the song they best like"
"Oh, dear" sighed Minette, petulant
for just moment. 1T may be that
DO not know the song that they like
best. L Will sing them all over, and if
they do not appear, you Babette, must
teach me another
VIII you be pleased to teach me
song mat DO not already know2" was
Inc little girls quaint request to nearly
every Stranger who entered the grounds
after that.
Sometimes the petition was granted
sometimes 1t was not; but every one
went away with pleasant thought of
Mlnette hung like picture on the GAL
lery OF memory.
One morning a lady and gentleman
came quietly in at the gate and walked
about, silently regarding the children
playing here and there. As usual Min
cite was on the circular bit of turf at the
base OF the statue of Hebe. She was
singing quaint little provencal love
song, taught her the day before by
produce Vender, and, as the newcomers
paused to listen, she said very sweetly
VIII you please teach me q song that
do not already know how to sing 7"
You will first have to sing nae the
ones you know, my little girl, so that |
may be sure of teaching YOU one that |
you do not.".
will you indeed stay to hear them
all?" asked Minette eagerly. mo one |
[ as done that"
81 think we WILL" and the lady sat
down on the garden chair in the shade |
Ola laurel bush, and folded her hands to
listen.
Minette sang her very best, and she
sang on and on and on, until her power
Of voice and her memory were marvel
TO her listeners. At last, as she began
The very earliest of her baby luIla6ys.
he lady burst into tears, and beckoning
% her husband, who was pacing up and
Town the gravel walk near by. she said:
This is the child that have set nv
heart upon. l can be content with no
,ther. Come here. little one, and we
will be to you father and mother"
"Oh, how did you.come from Chlna?"
lsked Minette, allowing herself to be
olded in the iady's arms, nothing doubt
ng. II thought you was to come
bringing up through the turf. and /
lave looked and looked for you, but you
re here and 1 am ready to go-only DR..
Octave must be told, for it was he who
irst told me that China was Just be-
leath."
Mr.. and Mrs. Louis were the kindest
i parents to the little founding and
he proved herself to be valuable sun.
cam in their house. All the people on
he estate loved the bright, cheerful,
young girl, and her life was
useful as we'll as happy one. 1
When all the promises OF her beauti- /
a., bidding Won hood seemei su1est, {
cath Ok from her in one week her {
,vlug foster parent5; ana then it be- i
anne known that they had neglected to t